Two great reads that you must read as well

I love when you randomly find books on either a book list online or just grab a book at the library because you liked the cover.  The two books I will talk about I found online, both book lists, both recommended. I was not disappointed this time. The books are:

"Of Bees and Mist" by Erick Setiawan

and 

 "Calling Invisible Women" by Jeanne Ray

 "Of Bees and Mist" was one of those books, like "The Night Circus", that makes you really use your imagination. However, Erick Setiawan's style is different. Yes, he incorporates a lot of superstition and he has been obviously influenced by women in his life, but he makes you think. I loved rooting for Meridia, the main character of the book. The story starts when she is only 16 years old and ends when she is a full woman and a mother. 

The main conflict is the relationship she has with her mother-in-law, but also how the relationship between her husband and his mother affects her marriage. Oh, to have such a conniving and nosy mother-in-law! I really do not think I could do it. I would just not have someone like that in my life. Which is what ends up happening, but it's the passage to getting there that is so evocative of strong emotions.

Erick touches on the 'mama's boy' character, that is sometimes missing as a strong one in some books. Here, Daniel is a big one, that you like and really want to smack too. You feel for him, yet you also get angry at what he does. 

See? To have an author make you feel like the characters are real, well, that is talent. To also know this is Erick's debut novel, just confounds me and others (as per comments and reviews). If you have a list on the go, please add this one. You will not be disappointed. I took my time with this book, and you will find too that you have to actually read it slow, to make let it work its magic. This is definitely not a book to rush read.

Now, for "Calling Invisible Women"... Who hasn't felt invisible at some time in their lives? I know I have, not for long, but sometimes, our lives take over and we forget ourselves. I do not think it is anybody's fault but our own. We have to make sure to let others see us, hear us, care for us, but we also have to do that for our own selves. 

This novel by Jeanne Ray, is about a middle-aged lady who literally starts going invisible, hence, the title. Oh, but she is not the only one. It is a heart-warming story and again, it made me think. Not only because, I may have felt the same as the main character, Clover, but also because if this really did happen, would I notice it? Would I notice it if it happened to a friend? How many people have we ignored? How many are invisible to you, yet they are there, existing.

I really, really liked this story. I may be biased because I am married and a mother, but I am sure any woman will feel the same. I am sure men must feel the same, it is just written in a female point of view, so I can relate more. 

I am looking forward to reading more these two authors, and I hope that when you do get the chance to read either book, you will think so too. Oh, I love reading! :)

Incredible - "The Night Circus"

I have not been so excited about a book in a long time. Well, one that was not a trilogy and that hasn't been read by millions. I heard about the Night Circus from a blog post last year. This person highly recommended it and then I saw it on a few Top Ten books of 2011.  Well, I knew then I must read it.

When I tried taking it out of the library it had a long wait list, assuring me it was a good book. Of course I did not know how good of a book it was until I read it. If you want fantasy coupled with a sweet, simple romance, then this is one book you must read. I loved it so much I am going to buy it! I know, an actual book purchase. I only buy CD's, movies, and books if I really, really like them. The author is Erin Morgenstern. Here is a link to her site with a short excerpt:

http://erinmorgenstern.com/the-night-circus/

This is her debut novel and I found it hard to believe that it was so. The imagery she uses is so amazing, I felt like I could see what she was describing. Again, it's been a while since I fell in love with a novel.

The main characters are Celia and Marco who are doomed from the beginning, but does love conquer all? You have to read it to find out. What I loved about the novel, was the intricate description of the characters, the circus people, the tents, the magic involved to create such a place. I loved Erin's imagination.

The love story is there, but this is not a sappy book at all. In fact, there is little romance. However, you still root for the couple. Well, at least I did, only because I am a sap and a romantic at heart. Celia and Marco are not the only characters in the book. We get to meet others, and for me the clock maker was my other favorite character. The way she described the clocks was amazing, and I only wish such clocks existed.

Reading the novel gave me the urge to visit a circus. Of course I have not seen one, except for the Cirque Du Soleil shows. I don't know if those count... I wish there was still a traveling circus going around North America with all kinds of things to see, with a good magician or illusionist, and just plain wholesome fun. Wouldn't that be nice?

I really don't want to give too much away on this post because I really want you to read it. Then, I would love to discuss it with you. I can't wait to read more from Erin Morgenstern, and hopefully her next novel will be just as good. ☺

I love charcoal and sanguine

I love art, always have, always will.

If I could, I would draw or paint all day, but life has gotten on the way. Not a bad thing, just that by the time I sit down, my creative juices have been drained. I used to draw a lot, but the most I did was when I was 19 to right before I had my first kid. I am now looking forward to the new school year this year, only because I will have some time to paint or draw. Well, that is my hope.

One of my favorite art mediums is charcoal and also sanguine. I love the look and the feel of charcoal. I took a drawing course when I was 19, you know, one of the ones offered at night in high schools. It was a really neat time for me. I was becoming more independent from my twin, and had to take transit all the way to the West End in Vancouver, to get to the school. It was awesome.

Our teacher was really good and I was introduced to sanguine. He taught us how to mix it with black charcoal and the lovely contrast they make. We did some ink drawings too, which I hated. I did not like that I couldn't get my lines straight and it was not the same using a brush on paper. Let's just say ink is not my fave. If I am going to use a brush, I will use it on a canvas. We did use charcoal pastels too, which are nice, but not the same.

So, back to sanguine, I guess I must let you know what it is if you don't know:

I found this definition in Wikipedia:

 Sanguine or red chalk is chalk of a reddish-brown colour, so called because it resembles the colour of dried blood. It has been popular for centuries for drawing (where white chalk only works on coloured paper), and the term also describes a drawing done in sanguine. The word comes via French from the Italian sanguina.

If you want to work with a sketchbook, try it out. I like combining it with black charcoal for a nice contrast. People often ask me who the person is that I draw, but I don't draw people that I know, the images are just from my head. Of course, some are obviously a figment of my imagination. :)  The only person I have dared to draw is my husband. Tonight I was inspired enough that I wanted to share what I drew and also, share an oldie from 2005.

My latest - sanguine has more texture to it live.

This one is from '05, not many from that year.

So, if you like to draw or paint - what is your favorite medium? In another post I will talk about acrylic and oil paints.

I love art. ♥

 

Songs (not albums) I liked best in 2011

This year I have decided to write about the songs that I liked best. I will not choose best albums only because I simply do not like every song a band or artist puts out. Well, that is why iTunes, emusic, and other mp3 sites were created for, so we could choose our faves.

So, what songs touched me the most this year? There are some that I can play over and over and over. It drives my husband crazy, but I can't help it. I love listening to each chord, to the notes being sung, and just let it take me away. I was telling my mom the other day that it's kinda crazy how some people go ballistic with celebrities, but i had to admit to her that maybe I would go crazy like that for a singer whose lyrics have touched my soul (Thom Yorke, anyone?). 

Truly, a lot of the songs we listen to on the radio are sometimes manufactured by a group of writers, but there are still some singers out there that actually pen their own words.

Here are my fave songs of 2011:

Snow Patrol - Called Out in the Dark
I just love this song and I've listened to a LOT.  It's catchy, it's fun, and I just like the lyrics. In the case of this song, I loved it even more after watching the video. Gary Lightbody's voice rocks too. Have you seen the video? How cute is that? Check it out if you haven't:

Angus and Julia Stone - Big Jet Plane

I am perfectly aware that this song has been extremely overplayed. However, I just love their harmonies and the softness of the music. How cool that they are a brother and sister duo? They both have the cutest voices. Ok, so maybe singers don't want to be described as cute. Hmm... Ok, how about they both have dewy voices. The video does not do much for me, but in case you haven't heard this song, here it is.

Other Lives - As I Lay My Head Down
Other Lives - Dark Horse
Other Lives - For 12


Other Lives blew me away during their opening session for The Rosebuds at the Media Club this year. I didn't even know who they were, and then BAM! Blown away was I. Seriously, they are incredible and boy, can they play great music. The three songs I've listed are my faves from their album and the ones that stayed with me after the concert. If you ever get a chance to see them live, please do. They are one band that are worth paying $$ to see. They are opening for Radiohead in the US.  Here is the live video for As I Lay My Head Down - live, so good!! Agree?

 Adele - Someone Like You


Come on, who didn't feel something after really listening to these lyrics: 

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.
I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded
That for me it isn't over.

Wow, I know that there are tons of you out there who have gone back to see your exes for closure or to stalk them, so don't deny this song moved you to tears. I did not cry because I have been blessed with no exes, except one, but all I could think about was a lot of girls in my life (my sisters) whose hearts have broken when such ex moves on and gets married. So heartbreaking, no? The b&w video is so nice and I just love Adele's powerful voice.

The Pack a.d. - Take

Two piece band from Vancouver, yo! Gotta have some indie here. Saw them live this year for the first time. They are special to my hubby because he sent them a cassette full of road trip songs, and he was chosen to win a nice candle, a symbal from their drums and their cd (that came empty). Ha! They rock and well, they are some cool chicks and very funny live. Here's the video. :)

 Low - Try to Sleep

Low's album C'Mon is really one that I enjoy as a whole, but Try to Sleep is my favorite song. The lead singers are a couple and both have low voices, no pun intended. I had the pleasure of seeing them live at the Rio Theatre, super awesome venue - no smoking allowed, yay! The video for this song has John Stamos in it, and he sure looks dapper in the video. Look up the history of Low and see why they are called Low.

The Raveonettes - Forget That You're Young
The Raveonettes - Apparitions


I love this Danish band and got the chance to see them live with my hubby. Not only did I have a great date night but it was a great show. That same night we saw the Pack a.d., so that is why you see both bands in this list. I love the Raveonettes sound and it's not the same every time. Their harmonies are tight and best of all is the double drums. Check out not only their new album Raven in the Grave, but also their older ones. Very cool sound. Here's Apparitions:

Fleet Foxes - Lorelai


This is one of the many bands whose CD's my hubby will get and put it in the van, and I will ask: "Who's this?" Then him answering and introducing me to yet another good band. I'm so lucky to have my own personal DJ. Ok, so Fleet Foxes remind me of another good band - My Morning Jacket - and that is not a bad thing. This song is the one that I like best, so whimsical. I can envision driving on a car and passing green fields... Check it out.

Foster the People - Pumped Up Kids


Ok, so here is another treat for me. Another over played song that I have not gotten tired of yet. It's so California, no? Did not realize that I was getting hooked to a song about guns until someone pointed out and by that time, it was too late to turn it off in my head. 

The Kooks - Junk of the Heart (Happy)


I feel happy when I hear this song. I guess they brainwash me with their happy song and happy lyrics. See? Just thinking about being happy makes me happy. This is pretty much the only song I've heard from the Kooks but I enjoy it every time I hear it. 

The Head and the Heart - Lost in My Mind


"Ooooh Oooooh Oooooh Oooooh" This is really one song makes sing out loud in the car. Oh, my poor girls. "There are stars up above, We can start moving forward" - love those lines. Now doesn't it just wanna make you stomp your feet? Well, the singer does in the video - how fitting. 

So, as you can see I have a wide selection for you to listen to. If you have never heard of these bands, go on youtube and watch their videos or listen to their songs. Search them online and look up their history. There are other songs but I will stop here or otherwise, it might drive you crazy. Music, just like books, allows me to escape and it either makes me super happy or melancholy. I love how it a tune will bring back memories of a special day and it's no wonder then that, if married, you will have your own wedding song. 


I truly wish I was a song and music writer but alas, I just have to enjoy it from others. Let me know your thoughts.

North and South the BBC series

Wow, it has been a while since I last posted, but I have not felt excited in a large level in a while. Sure, there are songs that are killing me right now, like Snow Patrol's Called Out in the Dark - I can hear it over and over. But for movies and tv series, not so much. I will do a separate blog for the Twilight series, but this post is about North and South (2004), a BBC production.

John and Margaret professing their love ♥

Who has heard of Richard Armitage? Not many, but many will when the Hobbit comes out. Now I will be one of the ones out of the dark and know what a good actor he is. Ok, so the script and the series were good, but he brought it! He was perfectly cast as Mr. Thornton. I cannot say I have read the novel, but I am sure curious to see how much I would like it after watching the series (written by Elizabeth Gaskell). 

Let me tell you, this is one love story that compares to Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth's. Do I dare say it? Yes. This does not mean that this was better than Pride and Prejudice, not at all, it's just the way the love story of Margaret Hale and John Thornton plays. They don't like each other at the beginning and then he likes her, but she doesn't, then she does something that makes him not like her, then she likes him, and finally (!) they get together. ☺

 In the meantime, there is a bit of "history" given to the watcher, how cotton mills worked in the 1800's, in a time when cotton was just starting to make an appearance in England. There is actually a comment by one of the characters that says how they think they will always wear linen. Well, sure seems cotton is more popular now. They show industrialization at its height, unions starting to happen because of poor working conditions. Sad looking people are shown, with hungry kids to spare, and lots of dirty clothes around. Aren't you glad you live in this century?

There is quite a bit of sadness on this story, it's not very cheerful, but it grabs your attention. Well, at least it caught mine. I was really impressed with Armitage the most, and not just because of his pretty face, he can act. Daniela Denby-Ashe was good as Margaret, but sometimes she gets a blank look on her face that did not sit well with me. In the end, when Margaret was able to show how she was feeling for John, Daniela's face changes and then I thought she was better. 

Oh, if I was a director! But of course we all think we can do better than others. Hee hee. It is just a dream, like so many others related to art. If you get a chance to watch it, please give your opinion.

"The Help" - the book and the movie

Well, The Help, the book by Kathryn Stockett is really good. It is a point of view that I had not read, and did not know much about the help that was hired back in the 60's and earlier in the southern states. It is obviously a time in history that a lot might not wish to remember, but it is part of American history. I think that it's okay to assume that all countries have times in history that they wish had not happened. 

On the other hand, there will be others who feel the opposite, who feel it was part of the culture and nothing to be ashamed of. Nothing to hide. I felt that the women in the book represent both sides. 

Love the names that Kathryn Stockett gives the main characters:

Aibileen - the first maid to talk about her point of view of serving white ladies.

Skeeter - the woman who tells the maids' story. Legal name is Eugenia, how fitting!

Minny - the character who made me laugh.

Hilly - how posh and well, suitable for the meanest one in the book.

Celia - a nice, naive character that was much needed, or else the book would have been too bitter.

Aibileen's worked since she was a teenager, and she tells about her son who is recently killed when the book starts. That part was really sad for me. I cannot imagine losing one's child at 24, right when you think they will make it, when they could have started a family of their own. In his case, when he could have made something of himself. So sad, and it is not important who you are or where you are from, the story touches one for what it is - the loss of a son.

I really liked how Kathryn decides to write in chapters, but what's neat is that each chapter is the point of view of Aibileen, Skeeter, or Minny. We get all three points of views, which makes it more interesting for the reader. It would have been boring if we had only read about Aibileen. Don't you think?

One of my favorite parts about the story is the search for answers from Skeeter. Her family's maid, Constantine, had been working for them for 29 years, and she just disappears without an answer from her family. We see the dilemma from Aibileen trying not to tell her too much, afraid of what the reaction would be. It's nice for Skeeter to find out about what really happened when her mother is sick, makes it easier to forgive her. I would have hated for someone so dear to just take off without knowing where they went and why. In the end, it's all about the rules that existed back then, and how southern society made you live your life - black or white.

This is more evident with Aibileen and Skeeter's fragile friendship. It never develops to the point where they are both comfortable with each other 100%, but a nice truce is created. I am a sap for happy stories, so I was a bit disappointed with how it ended. How Skeeter at one point, hasn't made contact with Aibileen for six months, that was too long. I wish it had ended with them keeping in touch, not just leaving it as a friendship that was created while the book was written and had to end when it was done. I guess the author felt that it was better to be realistic, because really, how often would a young person make friends with an older one, especially one with not a lot in common? Besides the time in history the book is based on. :)

So, now we get to the juicy stuff in the book, the funny stuff. I loved Celia's character and how her naivete was Minny's "salvation". It was so nice to have her being so nice to Minny, to redeem her "kind" to her. The whole point of the book is to show  that we are all just people, with different skin tones maybe, but we are all the same in the end. I felt the relationship of these two made the strongest point of this. Yes, Minny is still a maid, but there are many maids that are currently employed and it is not a bad thing. A job is a job.


Hilly... Oh, Hilly's character!! Loved it. What meanness. A pure creation of that time's society. How many women acted like that because of what they had been taught by their parents? Aibileen makes this poing, saying how the babies they take care of don't know the difference about anything, but it's later on that their parents distort everything. I don't think we can really hate what Hilly represents 100%, because it is what she was taught. Every culture has things that are taught that are not pleasant. Of course, that doesn't mean I liked what she represents. It's so sad how it was back then in the States. All the segregation, the opposing forces trying to stop the Civil Rights movement. How many were killed just because of their skin color. How many children were affected for life. The bitterness still remains, and so does the separation.


In the end, Hilly gets what she deserves (yay!) and Skeeter gets her dream job in New York. Oh, and now let's talk about Skeeter's love life. How sad! That was another facet of how society back then treated a girl who did not live to get married. Whose goal was a career and not start a family. It was obscene! How dare they! It's nice to know that my daughters will not have those restrictions and that it will be their choice whether they want an education first and then a family. Shhhh... Don't tell them, but I do want to be a young grandma'. Ha!


Now unto the movie:

Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer and Bryce Dallas Howard

Loved Octavia Spencer and Bryce Dallas Howard as Minny and HIlly respectively. That casting was genius. Bryce was incredibly good as the villain. Oh, her facial expressions were incredible! I know a lot of people were saying Emma Stone is really good, but I feel Bryce was much, much better. Emma's wrinkly nose sometimes annoyed me - anyone else? 

As for Octavia Spencer, she was hilarious! Oh, man she made me crack up! Awesome that Tate Taylor, the write and director, decided to have her less bitter than in the book. However, in the book we get to see Leroy, and in the movie all he is a voice. They only show her scared, but in the book she feels love and at the same is really frightened, but it's not until later in the book that it gets really bad for Minny.


Jessica Chastain plays Celia, and she had to gain 20lbs in order to portray the bombshell. Even though they had to choose what to show in the movie, it was nice that we still get a gist of what Minny and Celia have. It was changed, but it was still moving. (FYI: Chastain has publicly said she HATED gaining all that weight for her role - how sad! I thought she looked really good.)


One thing I really, really did not like was how much they changed what happens to Constantine and why she leaves. In the novel, her daughter is light skinned due to Constantine's parentage. She has a white father and a black mother. I wondered to my friend why they could not show a mixed actress. To me, it was awesome that the book touched on that, but how come it was not presented in the movie? Could it be because there are still some movie executives who don't want to rile people up? Is it that bad? It was one of the changes that I really minded.


It was well done, but I do feel the book was better. Viola Davis is good as Aibileen, but I had pictured Aibileen a bit stronger, with more life to her. Nothing Viola does, it was just the direction. It is kicking butt at the box office, and for that I'm grateful. There needs to be many, many more movies with female leads and strong stories. If you've read the book or seen the movie, please let me know what you think. ☺

The Poisonwood Bible review

There comes a time when one reads a book, and it really touches you. The type of books I am talking about are the ones interwoven with fiction and non-fiction. The ones where a clever writer will create his/her own characters but will place them in the middle of a real event of the past.

Such is the case in The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. She has the Underdowns, a family of six, travel from the USA to the Congo on a Christian mission. In real life, there are still several churches that send people in missions, including the one I belong to, the LDS church. Do not think for a moment that this book is preachy or that it's all about the Bible either.

It is the story of a pastor, who decides to move his wife and his four daughters, in order to bring salvation to the heathens of Africa. The character of Nathan Underdown represents all those fanatics that take their beliefs to the extreme. Their righteousness is so supreme, that everybody else is in dire need of salvation. Kingsolver makes sure to have him as the big-time patriarchal  figure for 2/3 of the book. I loved how she made him so stubborn, not willing to learn the way of live in Africa, or how cultures are so different but that it does not mean that one is better than the other. He doesn't change, no matter what transpires around him.

As for the wife, Orleana, she represents the submissive, lost wife that many of us might have known in the past or might know right now. She has been beaten down emotionally and sometimes physically by her husband. How many women like her exist in real life? Too many. She loses her voice (not literally), and does not gain it back until a tragedy strikes the family.

The daughters, oh the daughters! Rachel, the twins Leah and Adah, and the baby Ruth-May. What names! Four girls under their father's tutelage and tough authority. Kingsolver decided to have this father not love his daughters, but rather use them as examples for his own work. The relationship of these sisters resonated with me big time. I am a twin, and we are four sisters in total. They all have different personalities as do we. Oh, I loved to see it in a book, written by a stranger, but able to relate to fictional characters. I love books like this.

My favorite sister: Leah. She starts as being almost as anal as her father, but by the end of the book, she is a completely different person that has lost her faith in her religion and has to make do with her own beliefs. She starts as one who does not question their father, to one who loses all respect for that person. From believing, thou shall honor thy parents, to just not caring. That is usually what happens when a parent is such a totalitarian, they lose their kids' love and respect. I love, love how she ends up marrying a Congolese and stays in Africa.

Adah, as Leah's twin, was my second favorite. So nice to have a character who has a supposed disability, have an internal voice in the book. We can feel her frustrations and get a glimpse as to how one might feel if your body was disabled in some way. How people can be so rude. It was neat to see how she related to the other people in Africa, where people live with disabilities and are not looked down upon. I loved that part in the book.

Rachel, on the other hand, is the obnoxious sister - the one that people think: "I can't believe she said that!" She's the one who is vain and of course is not happy to be in Africa, the one that you know will never get used to not have all the luxuries we all take for granted in the western hemisphere. She is not shy about her racism and the author makes sure to have a character we can all dislike. She does not grow and some people really get stuck in a rut.

As for Ruth-May, she was the baby, a five year old in the middle of a harsh country, the Congo. You have to read the book to see her sweet character.

The book has a fictional family, but they live in the midst when Congo becomes a democracy, the Republic of Congo. Patrice Lumumba became the first prime minister. He was a champion for his country, he wanted Europe to leave them alone. He wanted his country to keep its riches to make his people rich, not the foreigners. But what happens when there are riches in a country that can be easily be exploited? Well, other countries take notice and take over. Such was the case in Congo. The USA and other European countries decided to help Mobutu to take over.

History tidbit: after winning its independence from the Belgiums, the Congolese people elect Lumumba to become prime minister in June 1960, and ten weeks later there was a coup d'etat. Mobutu takes over.  Patrice was murdered on January 17, 1961. That is how quickly they got rid of him, so much did powerful men did not like this country to be independent. There is known involvement from the Belgium gov't and the American gov't when Eisenhower was presiding. Mobutu, who then became president took over. He is best known as being one of the most corrupt leaders in the world. One of his best known extravaganzas that he paid with the country's money in the name of tourism, was the fight between Mohammed Ali and George Foreman. They were each paid $1 million dollars to fight.

Mobutu wearing his trademark hat

Patrice Lumumba - see that smile? :(

Of course, there were still people starving, children dying, but what country does not have corruption? It's the sadness of humanity, there will always be one who uses another. Barbara, writes about these events in such a way, that you don't even know you are getting served with history. I loved it! I had no idea about Mobutu or Lumumba before I read this book. It's made me realize that by living in the Americas, we don't get to know too much about Africa. We don't go into much detail at school, unless it is a chosen topic for a paper. It's something I want to change with my girls. Do correct me if I'm wrong - it has been my case. We might have some history from former slaves, but not too much specifically from the countries in Africa (not to say that the history from former slaves is less interesting or not as important). You know what I mean? It would be neat if we learned more about each other, take the time to learn about each country in the whole world - Ecuador, Croatia, Libya, New Zealand, etc.

I write this post when there is a crisis happening in Africa. When there are so many without food, or the capacity to help their own babies. It's made me realize how it is that some of us are born in such different places, with such different needs and wants. How greedy we are here, but so hard to not be at the same time. Would you give up all of your comforts? I would if it meant my children would be safe, somehow.You can now guess I really liked this book. :)